How can Kimi Antonelli win the 2026 F1 title at the US Grand Prix?

Antonelli has a 102-point lead over second-placed Russell, with 150 points left on the table this season. After this round in Austin, there will be 125 points left to play for.

As such, to win the title at the Circuit of the Americas, Antonelli needs to increase his lead by 23 points. Therefore, at a minimum, Antonelli must win the grand prix (25 points) on Sunday. If he doesn’t, he cannot win the championship in Austin.

If he does win the race, only Russell finishing ninth or lower and Lewis Hamilton (who trails the Italian by 111 points) finishing fifth or lower would hand Antonelli the title this weekend.

Kieran Jackson24 October 2026 18:17

Start times in Austin:

Times BST

Saturday 24 October

Sunday 25 October

Kieran Jackson24 October 2026 18:13

F1 United States Grand Prix LIVE

Formula 1 returns to the Circuit of the Americas this weekend for the United States Grand Prix - as Kimi Antonelli stands on the cusp of his first world championship.

The 20-year-old Italian holds a 102-point lead over Mercedes teammate George Russell and will win his first title if he wins this Sunday’s grand prix and Russell finishes ninth or lower. Antonelli also needs Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton to finish fifth or lower.

A podium last time out in Singapore extended Antonelli’s lead, as Max Verstappen claimed his second victory in a row amid a Red Bull resurgence this season. Russell, meanwhile, only finished ninth and crashed out of the sprint race in Marina Bay.

The popular race in Austin is the start of another triple-header, with Mexico and Brazil to follow in the weeks ahead. Verstappen was victorious at COTA last year.